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What is Geocoding?
Geocoding is the process of converting location descriptions, such as addresses, into geographic coordinates that can be displayed on a map. This process is used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to accurately place features and data on a map. Geocoding can be done using various software, such as GIS platforms, geocoding tools, or geocoding services.
The typical geocoding process matches an address or location description to a latitude and longitude coordinate. The accuracy of the resulting geographic coordinates can be impacted by the quality of the input data and the method used for geocoding. Batch geocoding involves processing multiple addresses or place names at once, while reverse geocoding determines the closest street address or place name from geographic coordinates.
Geocoding tools
Brower-based free Geocoding services
BC Address Geocoder
Use the Address List Editor to geocode fewer than one thousand addresses. Supports batch geocoding.
Geocodio
Geocode up to 2,500 US and Canadian addresses per day for free. Supports batch geocoding.
Programming languages
Geocoder and Geopy are two popular Python libraries for geocoding. Note that they are not Geocoding services but simply a python client for several popular geocoding web services.
ArcGIS World Geocoding Service (restricted to SFU users)
Sample data: Format address data correctly and download a sample file
The demonstration below uses a .csv file called "Libraries.csv," which contains the address information of 22 libraries in four fields: Address, City, Province, and Postal Code. It is important to format address data correctly, as incorrect formatting and parsing of information can cause issues during the geocoding process. To highlight this, note the differences between two .csv files below.
Learn how to access the ArcGIS World Geocoding Service through ArcGIS Online
Learn how to access the ArcGIS World Geocoding Service through ArcGIS Pro
Building your own address locator by ArcGIS Pro (restricted to SFU users)
If you have hundreds of thousands of addresses or more, you can use a programming language to call a geocoding service (linked in the above "Programming languages" section), or you can create a custom locator in ArcGIS Pro to geocode using your own data. Read Esri's guide Create a locator to learn how.
You will need reference data to build your own locator. DMTI's RoadsNetworkQGIS (part of the CanMap Content Suite, v2022.3) is a good option.